Lesser Spotted Ireland with Joe Mahon

This episode finds Joe on the very distinctive village green of Freshford in County Kilkenny, training for the forthcoming Irish Conker Championships. He interrupts a Tai Chi class and, as a result, gets a fencing lesson from octogenarian swordswoman Sheila Dooley, before going on to nearby Threecastles to discuss life, death, the universe and everything in it, with practicing druid, Eimear Burke.More details:This episode of Lesser Spotted finds Joe Mahon in the picturesque and historic village of Freshford in County Kilkenny, a timely visit because October is the month of the Irish Conker Championships which are held annually on Freshford’s very distinctive village green – it’s surrounded by 52 chestnut trees! Eamonn Dooley holds the world speed conker record and Joe has the temerity to enter the lists against him in a warm-up bout – with predictable results.The village green is also where you’re likely to find the ladies of Betty Payne’s Tai Chi class going through their routine and it’s here that Joe meets the remarkable Sheila Dooley, an octogenarian fencing champion who seems to have lost none of the speed and agility that brought her so many trophies in the 1950s. Needless to say Joe takes the opportunity to get a few pointers – literally!It was at the pass of Achadh Úr, the ancient Gaelic name for Freshford, that Diarmuid Mac Murrough, the King of Leinster who allied himself to the Normans, defeated Domhnall Mac Giolla Padraig, the King of Ossory in the year 1170 and Joe explores the many aspects of the area’s Anglo Norman heritage that are still much in evidence. With the assistance of local scholar, Ned Kennedy, he also examines the conundrum of the name of the village – Achadh Úr does not translate into “Freshford”. Ned’s explanation sheds light on the ancient monastic settlement established here by the 6th century St Lachtain.Freshford is blessed with a beautiful natural environment and Joe joins the parents and children of Gretta Murphy’s nature ramble in nearby Brown’s Wood where he learns the wisdom of talking to the “Grandmother Tree” before entering the forest path. Communing with trees and elemental spirits is second nature to Eimear Burke, a practising druid who lives in the old rectory at Threecastles, who introduces Joe to some of the mysteries of this ancient belief system. Eimear is also a practitioner of modern psycho-therapy and an interesting discussion ensues as to how these two fields co-exist in natural harmony.Joe rounds off his visit to Freshford at the extraordinary “flower bridge” at Threecastles where Colm Murray, the Architecture Officer of the Heritage Council, relates the story of the River Nore and its importance to the development of Kilkenny City. On the way home he calls to get some fresh eggs from Tony Walsh’s hill farm but is faced with a bewildering range of choices – hens, ducks, peacocks, Australorps or Japanese quails? Tony’s got them all!

Joe travels to the medieval town of Fethard in County Tipperary, where the legacy of its Anglo-Norman past is still very much in evidence. However, the Anglo-Normans who conquered the region from the O’Brien clan were all but defeated by an unexpected foe, as local historian Terry Cunningham explains to Joe. He recounts how differences in agricultural practices between the Normans and Gaelic Irish resulted in a shift in the balance of power in the area – after the plague rats arrived. Terry also takes Joe to visit the local church where a Catholic bishop who became a Protestant lord was interred the wrong way round as a punishment by the local people. A happier tale is to be found in another church, the Holy Trinity Church which has stood on the site since the 13th century – albeit with a few alterations over the centuries. Mary Hanrahan takes Joe on a tour, pointing out some of the church’s unique features, including a monument associated with a love story between a soldier and a maid, who ended up living in a castle. Another Fethard building which has stood the test of time is the Tholsel – an early 17th century structure which has served a number of important functions over the centuries. Although age took its toll on the Tholsel, it has now been lovingly restored by the Fethard business community, and Joe pays a visit in the company of local horse-breeder, Maurice Moloney, who chats about the plans to put the Tholsel to use as a tourist attraction celebrating something very close to Maurice’s heart. The rich history of Fethard has provided much inspiration to critically-acclaimed artist and collector, Pat Looby, and Joe visits the home she shares with her remarkable collection of antiques and bric-a-brac amassed from years of car boot sales and auctions. Pat discusses how she creates her stunning art from such fodder as ancient field pattern maps and rusty objects. Another artist Joe pays a visit to, is ceramic artist, Doirín Saurus, at her studio and gallery just outside Fethard. After admiring Doirín’s colourful and quirky tea sets, Joe decides to try his hand at some pottery as well – with dubious results! Doirín gives Joe a sneak peek at an award she has crafted for a man who has done much for Fethard over the years – including keeping the long tradition of preparing a newsletter for the Fethard diaspora overseas. Joe pays another house call to Joe Kenny, who chats about the history of the newsletter, and his lifelong love of photography. He shows Joe some images from an incredible collection of major historical significance that he found hidden under a relative’s stairs!

Joe visits Errismore in Connemara, Co. Galway, a place where the people have ‘one foot in the tide’, as the local saying goes. This was part of the former territory of the seafaring O’Flaherty clan, and archaeologist and local historian Michael Gibbons takes Joe to the ruins of the castle overlooking the sea at Bunabhainn where Donal O’Flaherty lived with his wife, Grace O’Malley. She is perhaps better known as Granuaile, ‘the Pirate Queen’, but Michael disputes the idea that she was a pirate at all, as he explains to Joe. Staying on the shore, Joe meets a man who is a perfect example of having ‘one foot in the tide’. Padraic Kearns still lives in the house he grew up in, which is only separated from the tide by a low wall. Padraic chats to Joe about his family’s intimate, and mostly harmonious relationship with the sea, and how the produce the tide left behind helped feed a family of 7, and fend off colds and flu. He also explains how the tide serves as nature’s calendar. Errismore’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean was the main reason that Guglielmo Marconi chose it for the location of the first ever Transatlantic Wireless Station. The flat land of Derrygimlagh bog provided the ideal site, and historian Kathleen Villiers-Tuthill chats to Joe about the impact the station and its staff had upon the local community. The station wasn’t the only world first that occurred on this site – Kathleen explains how it was also the place where Alcock and Brown landed after completing the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic in 1919. Besides these auspicious historical developments, another thing Connemara is famed for is its ponies. Christy King, a former breeder of Connemara ponies, reminisces with Joe about riding bareback as a boy and about his brother Paddy, a champion breeder of some renown, whose funeral included a cortege of ponies and riders. Someone who is carrying on the tradition of breeding Connemara ponies today is Padraic Heanue, and he gives Joe a tour of his stables, and introduces him to some of his pedigree ponies. He tells Joe about the contingent of horse breeders who recently paid him a visit, looking to breed Connemara ponies in perhaps the unlikeliest of places – South Korea!Something else that Connemara is well-known for is its fishing industry, which has always been the lifeblood of the economy here, and Joe takes a look at how it has changed over the years. He visits Bunowen Pier where he takes a tour of Connemara Smokehouse, courtesy of its owner, Graham Roberts, who talks Joe through the process of making his artisanal ‘cold smoked’ salmon. Joe then spends some time with local fisherman, Martin O’Malley, who chats about his memories of growing up within the fishing community and about the crawfish and lobster industries of the past in Connemara

Joe visits the seaside resort of Mullaghmore in County Sligo, where he finds out why it took two Scottish engineers and a British prime minister to build a harbour. He also discovers some fairy cures, and takes a trip across to the early Christian ruins on the picturesque island of Inishmurray. He visits an artist who makes surfboards and paddles from wood, and gets a paddle-boarding lesson from an Irish champion.Lesser Spotted Ireland: Discover Hidden Gems Across the island of IrelandHosted by Joe Mahon, the series delves deep into the lesser-known corners of Ireland, showcasing its breathtaking landscapes, unique traditions, and remarkable local storiesEach episode highlights the vibrant communities and extraordinary individuals who call these places home, sharing personal anecdotes, folklore, and history. From exploring the serene loughs and glens to uncovering ancient ruins and traditional crafts, Lesser Spotted Ireland paints an intimate portrait of a region brimming with charm and characterThis fabulous series is a treasure trove for fans of travel, history, and culture. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your roots or discover hidden gems, the series is renowned for its warm, personal storytelling, giving a voice to the people who call these places homeExplore the heart and soul of Ireland, one story at a time#LesserSpotted #Ireland #TravelShow #HiddenGems #JoeMahon

Joe Mahon travels the length and breadth of the country in order to discover some of the most overlooked, yet beautiful and interesting, nooks and crannies of the Irish countryside.In this episode, Joe visits one of the lesser known Glens of Antrim, Glenshesk. He tours a ruined friary that was built by one clan, but houses the remains of their usurpers. He discovers a local ghost story there, before paying a visit to a hill-farm where he feeds some Bronze Age sheep on a hill-farm and peruses some unique snapshots of daily life in early 20th century Glenshesk. He also goes on the hunt for an elusive native species, the red squirrel, and explores one of the oldest woodlands in the country.Lesser Spotted Ireland: Discover Hidden Gems Across the island of IrelandHosted by Joe Mahon, the series delves deep into the lesser-known corners of Ireland, showcasing its breathtaking landscapes, unique traditions, and remarkable local storiesEach episode highlights the vibrant communities and extraordinary individuals who call these places home, sharing personal anecdotes, folklore, and history. From exploring the serene loughs and glens to uncovering ancient ruins and traditional crafts, Lesser Spotted Ireland paints an intimate portrait of a region brimming with charm and characterThis fabulous series is a treasure trove for fans of travel, history, and culture. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your roots or discover hidden gems, the series is renowned for its warm, personal storytelling, giving a voice to the people who call these places homeExplore the heart and soul of Ireland, one story at a time#LesserSpotted #Ireland #TravelShow #HiddenGems #JoeMahon

Joe Mahon visits the seaside village of Laytown in County Meath, home of the only official horse race to be held on a beach in Ireland. Here he takes a keen interest in the origin of the local place-names, samples some very rare apples, and investigates why there are no salmon in the River Nanny. Could St Patrick be the man to blame?Lesser Spotted Ireland: Discover Hidden Gems Across the island of IrelandHosted by Joe Mahon, the series delves deep into the lesser-known corners of Ireland, showcasing its breathtaking landscapes, unique traditions, and remarkable local storiesEach episode highlights the vibrant communities and extraordinary individuals who call these places home, sharing personal anecdotes, folklore, and history. From exploring the serene loughs and glens to uncovering ancient ruins and traditional crafts, Lesser Spotted Ireland paints an intimate portrait of a region brimming with charm and characterThis fabulous series is a treasure trove for fans of travel, history, and culture. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your roots or discover hidden gems, the series is renowned for its warm, personal storytelling, giving a voice to the people who call these places homeExplore the heart and soul of Ireland, one story at a time#LesserSpotted #Ireland #TravelShow #HiddenGems #JoeMahon

Joe Mahon dons the uniform of a United Irishman sharp-shooter while rehearsing for a re-enactment in Killala, County Mayo. He takes to the waters of the beautiful bay in search of mackerel and meets a blacksmith who made 3,000 identical nails in the old-fashioned way!Lesser Spotted Ireland: Discover Hidden Gems Across the island of IrelandHosted by Joe Mahon, the series delves deep into the lesser-known corners of Ireland, showcasing its breathtaking landscapes, unique traditions, and remarkable local storiesEach episode highlights the vibrant communities and extraordinary individuals who call these places home, sharing personal anecdotes, folklore, and history. From exploring the serene loughs and glens to uncovering ancient ruins and traditional crafts, Lesser Spotted Ireland paints an intimate portrait of a region brimming with charm and characterThis fabulous series is a treasure trove for fans of travel, history, and culture. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your roots or discover hidden gems, the series is renowned for its warm, personal storytelling, giving a voice to the people who call these places homeExplore the heart and soul of Ireland, one story at a time#LesserSpotted #Ireland #TravelShow #HiddenGems #JoeMahon

Joe Mahon explores the beautiful territory of the MacClancys of Dartry along the banks of Lough Melvin in County Leitrim. In nearby Glenade he hears the story of a fearsome lake-monster before searching for one or two himself in the River Drowes Fishery.Lesser Spotted Ireland: Discover Hidden Gems Across the island of IrelandHosted by Joe Mahon, the series delves deep into the lesser-known corners of Ireland, showcasing its breathtaking landscapes, unique traditions, and remarkable local storiesEach episode highlights the vibrant communities and extraordinary individuals who call these places home, sharing personal anecdotes, folklore, and history. From exploring the serene loughs and glens to uncovering ancient ruins and traditional crafts, Lesser Spotted Ireland paints an intimate portrait of a region brimming with charm and characterThis fabulous series is a treasure trove for fans of travel, history, and culture. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your roots or discover hidden gems, the series is renowned for its warm, personal storytelling, giving a voice to the people who call these places homeExplore the heart and soul of Ireland, one story at a time#LesserSpotted #Ireland #TravelShow #HiddenGems #JoeMahon